Road America Recap … The 3GT Racing Lexus RC F GT3s both earned top-10 class results when the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship visited Wisconsin’s Road America in early August. Jack Hawksworth ran the fastest lap of the race for the GTD class in the No. 15 Lexus – the second time this season Hawksworth has turned the quickest lap of a race after also doing so at Watkins Glen International earlier this summer. Hawksworth and teammate Scott Pruett went on to finish 10th at Elkhart Lake. The No. 14 Lexus recorded an eighth-place result in class with Sage Karam and Robert Alon. Both Lexus entries pitted together on lap 51 and were running second (No. 15) and seventh (No. 14) prior to the pit sequence, however the caution came out while both 3GT Racing entries were on pit road and both Lexus’ were shuffled back in the pack.
Silver Swap … Prior to the race at Road America, 3GT Racing announced they would be switching their silver drivers Scott Pruett and Robert Alon to continue the development of the Lexus RC F GT3 and the team’s racing program. Pruett will remain in the No. 15 RC F GT3 again this weekend at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) with teammate Jack Hawksworth, who will make his first VIR start, while Alon will once again pilot the No. 14 Lexus entry with Sage Karam.
Lexus Success at VIR … Lexus returns to VIR in its debut season with the RC F GT3 for the second and final GT-only race on Sunday. The manufacturer has previously experienced quite a bit of success at the Virginia road course in Prototype racing between 2004 and 2009. Current 3GT Racing driver and Hall of Famer Scott Pruett drove a Lexus-powered Prototype to victory with Luis Diaz in 2005 and again in 2008 with teammate Memo Rojas. Pruett, who also won at VIR in 2010, earned pole positions for Lexus in 2004 and 2009 at the 3.27-mile road course.
Engineering Support in Salisbury … TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) provides engineering support and research and development for the Lexus RC F GT3 and 3GT Racing, and one of their two facilities is located just over 100 miles southwest of VIR in Salisbury, North Carolina. This facility provides engineering support, and research and development to its partner race teams, including 3GT Racing, as well as to Toyota NASCAR partners. TRD, which is also based in Costa Mesa, California, has more than 35 years of motorsports experience, having been a part of many championships and race wins over multiple platforms of racing.
In the Pit with 3GT Racing … The Motor Trend ‘In the Pit with 3GT Racing’ six-part digital series recently debuted, following the four full-time 3GT Racing drivers in their first season competing behind the wheel of the Lexus RC F GT3 in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GTD class. The editorial piece appears on the Motor Trend YouTube channel, as well as Motortrend.com, and not only showcases their performance in the new Lexus RC F GT3, but also gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the drivers’ lives and interests away from the track. The fourth episode is set to debut next week, featuring Hall of Fame driver Scott Pruett. Past episodes have included features on Pruett’s 3GT Racing teammates Robert Alon, Sage Karam and Jack Hawksworth.
Winning Off the Track … Many technologies from Lexus’ racing initiatives have transferred to their production cars, including carbon fiber roofs, suspension design and vehicle handling characteristics. So far in 2017, total Lexus high performance vehicle sales (GS F and RC F) have exceeded 500. In addition to these models, many other Lexus vehicles offer F SPORT versions with enhanced bold styling and handling agility that are inspired by Lexus’ racing efforts, and more than 20,000 F SPORT versions have been sold since January. The Lexus LC, the manufacturer’s world-class luxury coupe with a 10-speed transmission, debuted in dealerships across the country in May.
Keeping Pace with Lexus … Fans can keep up with Lexus Racing on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter by using #LexusRCF GT3, #LexusPerformance and #LexusRacing, and online at www.Lexus.com/Motorsports
Lexus Racing Quotes
JACK HAWKSWORTH, No. 15 Lexus RC F GT3
How do you prepare for tracks like VIR, having never raced there previously?
“There’s a little bit more work initially, but I quite enjoy it — it’s nice to go to new tracks. I like the challenge of learning it and figuring it out quite quick and it’s just fun to go to new places, new circuits and especially ones that have a lot of history. I enjoy the challenge of it and at some point you’re going to come to these tracks so it’s nice to come and obviously the first few laps you’re figuring it out and you’re a little on the back foot, but it doesn’t take long and once you get there it’s like any other weekend to me. I enjoy it. I like going to new tracks and the challenge of getting up to speed quick and understanding the circuit and the car.”
SCOTT PRUETT, No. 15 Lexus RC F GT3
What is your outlook racing at VIR this weekend behind the wheel of the No. 15 Lexus RC F GT3?
“We are looking for a breakthrough weekend. We’ve been running strong in our Lexus RC F GT3 and now it’s time to get our first podium this weekend at VIR. It’s been fun mixing things up a bit and hoping to change our luck this weekend. Sage (Karam) and Jack (Hawksworth) are both talented guys so it’s been to get the opportunity to work together with both this season.”
SAGE KARAM, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
What is your outlook for VIR this weekend?
“I raced at VIR about eight years ago in Skip Barber and I remember it was a fun track. I think it’s a track that suits our Lexus RC F GT3. We only have three races left and one of the goals of the season is to pick up a win, but we’re running out of time. Everybody’s been working well together the whole season. We just have to work harder to be more mistake free.”
ROBERT ALON, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
What does it take to run a quick lap at VIR?
“VIR is a nice track, but it’s a bit tricky with a lot of corners. For a quick lap you have to put it all together and have a good strategy. A quick lap requires a lot of work — one little mistake at one corner can mean a couple of tenths off your time. Overall, it’s a fun track with a lot of nice rhythm sections. I really feel like we should have some good results there. We’ve been strong, we’ve shown speed in our Lexus RC F GT3 and we’ve been close.”
